Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-16
SAVING A MANS LIFE.
THE POWER EXERCISED BY a GREAT
ACTRESS.
Adelaide Bistori and the Soldier Sen
fenced 10 Death-A Thrill
ing Episode.

tblS otlhlhb ShoPtcI iTOu INC pTOOI
sheets: "On the 10th of September
1861, began a series Of performances il
the Zarzuela Theatre, in Madrid From
the natural enthusiasm of the Madrid
people / obtained all that an actress
can wish for. The theatre was crowd
ed. Queen Isabella was in her box,
listening eagerly, and breaking forth
every now and then into the most kind.
" applause. The following nights
performed Maria Stuarta, and then
Mira. On the Dist / had to repeat
Medea. That evening | had a touch.
ing and never-forgotten experience
Before the performance We were talk.
ing in the parlor adjoining the stage
about our success and the most note
worthy things we had seen in the Span
ish capital.
"By the way" / said, "to-day saw
man that was going about in the gar.
ments of some religious brotherhood,
shaking continually hand-bell. What
does that mean 2"
1 was told that the man was collect
ing aims to have prayers said for the
soul Of Nicholas Chapado, who waste
he shot the next day. This unhappy
man was a soldier, who, under an angry
impulse, had laid his hand upon the
hit Of his sword to inveigh against q
sergeant who had struck him. They
also told me that his sister, having
casually met the man with the hand
bell, asked who was sentenced to death.
Nicholas Chapado, was the answer,
and the poor girl fell in a swoon.
That tale filed me with sadness.
"Ihere /" l exclaimed; "while we
are here gay and thinking only OF ap-
pause and triumphs, that poor victim
is counting the moments that are left
10 him !"
Thereupon l walked sadly to my
room 10 dress After few minutes I
heard from my husband that two gen
tlemen had called and begged of me to
ask of Queen Isabella the life Of the
unfortunate soldier. Chapado had been
UronPfully struck by the sergeant, and
he had done nothing moro than just
touch the hilt Of his sword. The
Queen, they said, was very fond Of me
if l asked Che pardon for the soldier it
would be granted.
promised / would try and do all /
could with the Queen but Immediately
there arose a serious difficulty. General
Narvaez, Duke of Valencia, was the
president of the Cabinet. 1t would not
have done for me to 90 directly to the
Queen before speaking TO General Mar
ySez ; but he was generally feared on
sccount Of his excessive severity. Still,
I knew | would spoil tho whole thing
if had wounded the Generals pride
by applying directly to the Queen.
Fortunately, the General was in the
audience / begged linn to come and
sce me if he could spare moment.
Tie General. ever courteous, hastencd
to comply with my request. As soon
as we were left alone l mOtiOned him TO
a seat. The Duke was touched by my
voice and aspect, which bore plain evil
dcnce of my emotion.
General" | said, "you told me
several times that you could never deny
request from me, SO high IS the
esteensi4 which you are pleased to hold
me. 1beg, then, pardon for that poor
soldier! | am Il foreigner. L have
been in Madrid only few days ; but,
from the interest that all the people
take in that young man, | infer that he
fully deserves it. l was advised to ap-
ply directly to her Majesty, without
letting you know but | thought on
IT, contrary, that, through your pow
criul support, my word can more easily
reach the heart Of the Queen. l know
how highly she esteoms You, and how
deeply she trusts your tried experience
and loyalty"
my good lady" the Duke an
swered, ct is impossible ! l ain sorry,
but We need an example. Nearly all
our revolutions were started by the
army. Facts of similar kind happened
some time ago. We were merciful /;
YOU see now the result We need an
example Just now the Municipal
Council was pressing the Queen to
grant a pardon, but advised her to be
steady and not yield. After this, how
can persuade her to do otherwise ?"
Still, ! did not lose my courage. ]
kept up my pororation with the great
est enthusiasm. At length the Duke
was moved.
"Ah, madam !" he said, certainly
your prayer. Listen to NE.
Ask an audience OF her Majesty. She
will receive you between the acts.
Throw yourself at her knees defend
the cause OF that poor soldier as you
have Just done with me. The Queen
is so fond OF you. She will hesitate.
She will say that tue president Of the
Cabinet is opposed to it. Then you
will send for me, antelope! l can
not say more"
Emotion stiiled my words; [ only
seized his hand with transport, and fol-
lowed bis advice. As soon as the Gen
eral lett all crowded around me 4:
What did he say? Does he yield?
Hush, hush! For PHYS sake leave
me alone / cannot say anything.
Wait-you must wait
After the fret act the Queen granted
ne the audience had applied for, and
[, accompanied by one of my impress
sarios, went TO the royal box. l was
requested to wait q few moments in an
adjoining room, when, all OF sudden,
| beard cries and strange voices aud
hurried footsteps. An dhacho to the
court, an enemy of Narvaez, had at
tempted suddenly to force into the
Queens presence the sister Of poor
Chapado Naryaez had just come in
time to thwsrt his enemy's plans.
Nevertheless the Queen, who was very
weak, eli hearing those cries had tainted.
When she came to she asked to see
me. The good Queen apologized with
me for having kept me waiting, as well
az for the excitement which she could
not conceal All her ministers sur
rounded her. l lost no time, but threw
myself at her knees, kissed her hands,
and said
May it please your Majesty to par
don poor Chspado. Let yourself
be moved 10y our prayers. He
is guilty, it is true; but may
it please your Majesty for one
moment to take a merciful view of the
position OF this poor young man, who
was impelled to react by the deep in
suit which he wrongfully suffered in
the presence Of his companions. Re-